In 1918, Bethlehem Steel didn’t just produce iron and steel—it ran a baseball league. Six factories were represented; the rosters included some of the greatest star players from the Major Leagues.
The Bethlehem Area Public Library is proud to present Shoeless Joe, The Babe, & The Steel: The Highly Unlikely 1918 Bethlehem Steel League, Geoff Gehman’s talk on this fascinating piece of local baseball history.
Gehman, long-time arts and entertainment writer, for The Morning Call is also a baseball enthusiast. His most recent book, The Kingdom of The Kid: Growing Up in the Long Lost Hamptons, is in part about his fascination with Red Sox great Carl Yastrzemski. Through hours of research at the Bethlehem Area Public Library scouring newspapers on microfilm, Gehman was able to unearth fascinating tales of the Steel League—a little-known and highly colorful slice of baseball history.
Those who attend the free lecture will learn about how Babe Ruth (hired allegedly to deliver blueprints) hit ball after ball out of the park, just to keep a promise to souvenir seekers, and how peerless hitter “Shoeless” Joe Jackson was part of a riveter’s gang at the Delaware shipyard. Local figures like Tom Keady (legendary Lehigh football coach) and Sam Fishburn (a shortstop before getting into real estate) are part of the tale as well.
Gehman is an engaging and highly knowledgeable speaker. The event is sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in the Steel, the City, or the National Pastime.
Geoff Gehman presents: “Shoeless Joe, The Babe, & The Steel: The Highly Unlikely 1918 Bethlehem Steel League”
Wednesday, September 19, 7pm
Bethlehem Area Public Library
11 W. Church St., Bethlehem
~Free to attend~